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Gemma Davies has been appointed as first team Head Coach of Aston Villa Ladies.

The 25-year-old served as assistant coach at FA Women’s Premier League side Birmingham City during the 2017/18 season as she worked towards her UEFA A Licence.

Gemma, who will combine the role alongside her job as Head of Women’s Football at the University of Birmingham, couldn’t hide her excitement at taking on her first management role at the Championship club.

“I’m ecstatic and can’t wait to get going," she said. "This is my home town team and my family are full of Aston Villa fans.

“It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s one that I’m ready to take on. It’s going to test me, it’s going to be challenging but it’s a job I’m ready for and one that I’m going to relish.”

Villa’s new Head Coach has spent the majority of her career coaching in the Midlands, starting out at Erdington Ladies before coaching in Birmingham City Ladies’ centre of excellence for four years.

Gemma has also held assistant manager positions at Coventry United Ladies and Derby County Ladies, and she replaces former Head Coach Iain Sankey, who left his position at the end of last season.

Her appointment continues the club’s commitment to the development of female homegrown coaches, with first team coaches Corinne Mitchell and Carly Davies making up her backroom staff.

General Manager, Amber Wildgust, said: “Gemma’s appointment is an extension of the values that we as a club want to hold going forward – she’s young, hungry and eager to prove herself in the top echelons of the game.

“She’s got a great track record in player development and we feel Gemma is the perfect fit to continue the trend of developing homegrown players for our first team.”

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